How does the power of today’s earthquake compare to California’s biggest tremors?published at 22:12 Greenwich Mean Time 5 December
Image source, Getty ImagesMore than 80% of San Francisco was destroyed following a devastating earthquake in 1906
Today’s earthquake off the coast of California reached a magnitude of 7.0.
This region of America is where some of the Earth’s tectonic plates meet, often resulting in friction that passes up to ground level.
But a 7.0 magnitude quake isn’t typical in the region, or for that matter, anywhere that gets frequent earthquakes. Between about 10 to 15 earthquakes of this power are recorded globally each year.
So how does today’s tremor compare to some of California’s largest earthquakes?
There have been 12 other earthquakes measuring 7.0 or greater, according to data, external that has been recorded since 1800.
In 1994, a 6.7 quake hit Northridge, a neighbourhood in the densely populated San Fernando Valley region of Los Angeles. About 57 people died (this number is likely higher because of people who had heart attacks), and thousands were hurt. It caused about $20 billion of damage.
In 1906, more than 80% of San Francisco was destroyed following a 7.9 magnitude quake, which led to widespread fires and the deaths of 3,000 people.
There have been no fatalities or major damage recorded so far from today’s event.
